Running for public office is a dangerous game in the Philippines.
Election-related violence remains a persistent threat, from national positions down to the barangay level, where even kagawads (village councilors) and Bantay Bayan officers face deadly risks.
Political dynasties, deep-seated local rivalries, and weak law enforcement create a violent electoral landscape, with each election cycle marked by assassinations, ambushes, and armed clashes.
A study published by the Ateneo School of Government in 2022 highlights that provinces with a higher concentration of political dynasties tend to experience more incidents of political violence. This correlation suggests that the entrenchment of political families contributes to an environment where violence becomes a tool for maintaining power.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) recorded 297 violent incidents during the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), with 77 confirmed as election-related. These incidents resulted in 19 deaths and 66 injuries.
In the 2022 national elections, authorities reported 61 validated election-related violent incidents (ERVIs), including candidate assassinations and shootouts between political groups.
Violence is equally rampant at the barangay level. In 2023, a barangay captain and three kagawads were killed shortly after the elections. The slain barangay captain was reported in Davao, while the three barangay councilors were located in Metro Manila and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. Political tensions, often exacerbated by dynastic rule, have fueled conflicts over local governance even down to the barangay level.
One of the deadliest examples of election violence was the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, where 58 people, including 32 journalists, were executed in an ambush linked to the powerful Ampatuan clan. The massacre was orchestrated to eliminate a political rival in the province.
Despite convictions in 2019, political killings remain widespread.
Beyond Maguindanao, political assassinations have continued. In 2023, Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo was assassinated in broad daylight. From 2016 to 2021, at least 30 local officials—including mayors and vice mayors—were murdered.
Despite measures like the PNP’s gun ban during election periods, enforcement remains inconsistent. Loose firearms and private armed groups continue to threaten electoral security, particularly in vote-rich but politically volatile areas.
Ending election violence requires dismantling entrenched dynasties, strengthening law enforcement, and ensuring accountability for political killings. Without these reforms, elections in the Philippines will remain a deadly contest for power.
